Movement and coordination are not typically the first things parents think of when their child is suffering from low self-esteem. It’s natural to consider social-emotional factors first, but movement, exercise, and improved coordination positively affect self-esteem in multiple ways. To understand how movement and neurological systems impact confidence, emotions, our organs, behavior, and relationships, we...
The benefits of play pods and small groups for preschoolers and kids include improving a child’s chance of success in school and throughout their lives. Placing children into small groups that feature interactive activities for kids strengthens social skills and creates an inclusive environment. At Amy Zier and Associates, we try to group children of similar ages and developmental...
Outdoor play is an important component of child development. Letting kids be kids and allowing them the rite of passage of unstructured outdoor play with their peers is nearing a point of extinction. Technology, stranger danger, bullying, and environmental factors are a few of the reasons that the days of “go outside and play” and...
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) affects 34 million children in the US each year, often causing childhood trauma. Nearly half of all US children had at least one of nine ACEs, and more than 20 percent had two or more. The nine areas assessed are as follows: • Somewhat often/very often hard to get by on...
It’s never easy reading definitions of terms like “Helicopter Parent” or “Lawnmower Parent” and realize, “Oh, my gosh – that describes me to a tee!” Once the cartoon lightbulbs clear from above your head during one of a million parenting AHA moments yet to come, it’s important not to beat yourself up. Instead, remind yourself...
The idea of play being an instinctual need for children is not one readily discussed. When children are young, play is often encouraged but just as often limited in an effort of balancing it with too many structured activities and rules. Unrestricted play is an essential part of social and emotional development. As kids head...
As occupational therapists who specialize in play-based therapy, we couldn’t agree more with the findings discussed in THIS tremendous report on play. Understanding that playtime with children isn’t about the action itself but the connection it creates is critical information for all parents. Do you think it would be too much if we designed “Play with...
With warmer weather showing its pretty face, it’s a natural time to get kids outside to play – and according to Angela Hanscom, author of Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong, Confident and Capable Children, that’s exactly what they need. At AZ+A, we couldn’t agree more (and this is why we...
As occupational therapists and parents, brain development in early childhood fascinates us. Watching children interact with others, their environment, processes and playtime teaches us more than any textbook ever could. Will they grow to be a logical, results-driven adult (left-brained) or will they become a creative, intuitive thinker; one who is more interested in the...
As back-to-school season revs up, the focus of how children ought to spend their time begins to shift. Parents, teachers and other educators start to guide children of all ages to pay attention to schoolwork, which means less playtime and more technology. Many preschools have even gone high tech with the incorporation of iPads and...
